The Best Time to Travel to Spain: A Season-by-Season Guide
It’s basic, often the first decision you make planning a trip….when should we go? And it can make a big difference. On your plans, on your enjoyment, and on your wallet.
I’ve been enjoying doing some pieces that are more service-oriented lately, and I hope you like to read them to. I STILL haven’t finished this amazing piece I’m preparing (next newsletter, I promise), but in the meantime, I thought I’d answer a query I get a lot. WHEN SHOULD I VISIT SPAIN?
I remember my first year in San Sebastián. Arrived in September. It started to rain quite a bit in November. But then…it never stopped. One day in March, leaving the house, I was struck with a major headache and I realized it was because—the sun was out! I illustrate this for you to show you that being strategic when choosing dates depends on locations and will benefit you greatly. I also remember that first spring in Spain. Watching locals celebrating the arrival of white asparagus season. Heading up to a favorite restaurant for wood-fired lamb. That year I began to understand something crucial: Spain transforms completely with the seasons. The country you visit in August bears little resemblance to the one you'll encounter in November, and not just because of the weather.
After two decades traveling throughout Spain and near that living in Basque Country (Gosh I’m getting old), I've learned that the "best" time to visit depends entirely on what kind of experience you're seeking. The high season promises long beach days and festival energy, but also crushing crowds and inflated prices. What the travel industry calls the shoulder season offers arguably the most rewarding experiences, with ideal weather, harvest celebrations, and locals who actually have time to talk. Winter, often overlooked, reveals a completely different Spain: one of hearty stews, quiet museums, and surprisingly sunny afternoons. Or, in the case of the North, the true local experience, cozy and convivial, under a cloudy sky. Lucky us :)
spring in Asturias
Is Spring The Best Time to Visit Spain?
Markets, Festivals, and Perfect Weather (March–May)
Spring is a great season to explore Spain, particularly underrated, with the only caveat being watch out for rain and be aware of Semana Santa. In Sevilla, everyone is mostly busy with Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Abril, which are amazing festivals as long as you don’t have the aversion to crowds that I’ve acquired in my old age. The devotion is palpable, and even non-religious visitors find themselves moved by the artistry. These festivals change dates each year according to Easter (which is based on the lunar calendar, of course) and hotel prices in Seville spike dramatically during both holy week and the fair that follows.
The markets in spring showcase Spain’s agricultural wealth in unmatched ways. In local markets, you’ll find fat white asparagus, tiny artichokes perfect for frying whole, the season’s first strawberries, and habitas (fresh fava beans) that vendors will shell for you while discussing the best way to prepare them.
Spring travel essentials: Pack layers, as mornings can be surprisingly cool. Southern Spain (Andalusia) gets quite warm by late May, while northern regions remain pleasantly temperate through the entire season.
Spring In SPain at a Glance
If you're short on time, here's what makes spring special and what you need to know:
Weather sweet spot: April and May offer ideal temperatures (15-25°C/59-77°F) across most regions, with warm days and cool evenings perfect for exploring cities and countryside without the exhaustion of summer heat.
Festival highlights: Semana Santa in Seville (dates vary, usually late March or April) and Feria de Abril showcase Andalusian culture at its most elaborate, while countless smaller local festivals celebrate everything from asparagus to wine throughout the season.
Market abundance: Spring produce includes white asparagus from Navarra, fresh fava beans, artichokes, strawberries from Huelva, and the season's first cherries in Valle del Jerte, making this arguably the best time for food market exploration.
Wine country advantages: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and other wine regions are beautifully green with budding vines, wineries are less crowded than during harvest, and winemakers have more time for unhurried tastings and cellar tours.
Crowd levels: Moderate overall, though major cities and Seville during Semana Santa can be packed. Book key accommodations 2-3 months ahead, especially for Easter week when prices spike across popular destinations.
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Is Summer the Best Time to Visit Spain?
Beach Culture, Long Days, and Strategic Timing (June–August)
I’m not generalizing when I say most people visit in summer…the numbers prove it. Places like the Balearic islands and the Costas of Spain explode in population during these months. Summer is when Spain becomes the country of international imagination and the sol y playa stereotype built in the mid 20th century comes to full fruition: endless beaches, late dinners at midnight, festivals that run until dawn. But it’s also when you need to be most strategic about where and when you go. My best tip? Stay away in August. In July and especially August, many Spaniards (along with nearby French and the rest of Europe) take their own vacations, meaning coastal areas become packed while some cities partially empty out (with restaurants and shops closing for the month).
The Mediterranean coast from Costa Brava down through Valencia offers classic beach experiences, but I’ve always preferred the Atlantic beaches of Cantabria, Galicia and Asturias in summer. The water is colder, yes, but the scenery is dramatic, with cliffs and eucalyptus forests dropping down to wide stretches of sand. Plus, it gets colder and rainy the rest of the year. The seafood is extraordinary. There are so many amazing fishing villages that still work, like Getaria in Basque Country or Cambados in Rías Baixas, where you can watch fishermen unload their catches in the morning and eat the same fish grilled over open flames that evening, paired with local Albariños or Txakolis that taste like the sea spray.
If you’re committed to visiting major cities in summer, adjust your schedule to Spanish rhythms. In Madrid or Seville, where temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F), save museums and indoor markets for the hottest afternoon hours (2-5 PM), then emerge for early evening paseos when the temperature drops and the city comes alive. Eat dinner at 11pm. Live a little! You’ll need to learn to embrace the afternoon rest period, treating it not as wasted time but as an essential part of the Spanish summer experience. Find a café with air conditioning, order a caña (small draft beer) and some olives, and people-watch.
Summer is also festival season across Spain, from San Fermín in Pamplona (running of the bulls, July 7-14) to La Tomatina in Buñol (the famous tomato fight, late August) to countless local celebrations honoring patron saints. But beyond these famous events, nearly every village holds its own fiestas , featuring everything from traditional dance to bullfights to incredible communal meals. I stumbled into a village fiesta in rural Cantabria one August and found myself at a long table with locals, sharing hornazos and cigars after watching some equestrian vaulting. I wish that kind of moment for all of you.
Tip: Just don’t go to the Balearic Islands in August, that’s all I ask of you. Also, book your meals in advance. Book Mediterranean coastal accommodations months in advance, or be flexible and explore less-touristed regions like Extremadura or inland Cataluña. Start your days very early to beat crowds at major attractions. In southern cities, embrace the siesta culture rather than fighting it. Consider visiting in June or early September instead of peak July-August if your schedule allows.
Summer IN Spain at a Glance
Summer offers Spain's most iconic experiences but requires strategic planning to avoid common pitfalls:
Heat reality check: Inland cities like Madrid, Córdoba, and Seville regularly exceed 38-40°C (100-104°F) in July and August, making afternoon sightseeing genuinely uncomfortable. Coastal areas are more moderate (28-32°C/82-90°F) with sea breezes providing relief.
The August factor: Many local restaurants and shops close for 2-4 weeks in August as Spaniards take their own holidays, while coastal tourist areas become extremely crowded. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona partially empty out, creating an interesting dynamic of fewer locals but more international tourists.
Beach options beyond the obvious: While Costa del Sol and Costa Brava attract massive crowds, the Atlantic beaches of Galicia and Asturias offer dramatic scenery, excellent seafood, cooler temperatures, and far fewer tourists despite slightly chilly water.
Festival extravaganza: Nearly every town celebrates its patron saint with multi-day festivals featuring concerts, traditional foods, fireworks, and communal meals. San Fermín (Pamplona, July 7-14) and La Tomatina (Buñol, late August) are famous, but village fiestas often provide more authentic experiences.
Booking timeline: Reserve coastal accommodations 3-6 months ahead for July-August. City hotels paradoxically may have availability as business travel slows, but confirm restaurants and attractions haven't closed for the month before finalizing plans.
Is fall the best time to visit spain?
Harvest Season and Cultural Depth (September–November)
I think just one look at this picture I snapped on an autumn stroll through La Rioja is probably enough to explain why. Look at how gorgeous. If I could only visit Spain during one season, I’d choose fall without hesitation. September and October offer nearly perfect weather across most of the country, the harvest brings wine regions to life, mushroom season transforms northern forests, and cultural programming ramps up as locals return from summer holidays.
The vendimia (grape harvest) typically runs from September (or even quite a bit earlier in the south, thanks to climate change) through October, depending on the region and the year’s weather. In La Rioja, this is when you can actually participate in harvest at some wineries, stomping grapes in traditional lagares or helping sort fruit at family bodegas. The towns celebrate with harvest festivals featuring wine-fountain battles and tastes of the first pressed must. The landscape is spectacular, with vine leaves turning gold and rust against the backdrop of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. And that’s just Rioja! You can also plan visits to Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Jerez, basically anywhere thanks to the fact that Spain has the most vineyard square miles of any country!
In Basque Country and Cataluña, autumn means wild mushroom season…. boletus edulis (porcini), anyone? It’s a great time to eat foraged fungi, some drippy egg yolk, and wash it down with cider or wine.
The weather in autumn is remarkably pleasant for active travel. It’s ideal for hiking the Camino de Santiago (with far fewer pilgrims than summer), exploring white villages in Andalucíawithout the oppressive heat, or cycling through Cataluña’s wine country. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, cultural programming resumes in full force. Opera seasons begin, major art exhibitions open, and literary/film/etc festivals attract international attention. BONUS! The Prado Museum and Reina Sofía are far more manageable without summer crowds.
Tip: This is a chance to feel like you’re a local, as Spaniards return to their regular routines and tourists thin out considerably. Hotel prices drop significantly after mid-September except during specific festivals.
Autumn IN SPAIN at a Glance
For travelers seeking the ideal balance of weather, culture, and authenticity, autumn delivers on every front:
Perfect weather window: September through October offers consistently pleasant temperatures (18-25°C/64-77°F) across most regions, with warm sunny days, cool evenings, and minimal rainfall until late November when Atlantic regions get wetter.
Harvest season experiences: The vendimia (grape harvest) runs late September through October in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and other wine regions, with opportunities to participate in picking, stomping grapes, and attending harvest festivals like Haro's famous wine battle.
Culinary abundance: Wild mushroom season in northern Spain brings perretxikos and boletus to restaurant menus, while markets overflow with chestnuts, figs, quinces, game meats, late-season tomatoes, and the first oranges and clementines from Valencia.
Cultural renaissance: Opera seasons begin, major museums mount new exhibitions, literary festivals take place, and local life resumes its regular rhythm as children return to school and businesses reopen after summer closures.
Crowd and cost advantages: Tourist numbers drop dramatically after mid-September, making this the sweet spot for availability at popular restaurants, manageable lines at attractions, and hotel prices that are 30-50% lower than summer rates outside of specific festival dates.
>>>>> Enjoying this post? Be sure to check out my seasonal recommendations in the form of lovely little missives over here.
IS WINTER THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SPAIN?
Unexpected Pleasures and Regional Festivals (December–February)
Maybe this one is more of a second visit, or a Spain: Expert Level type choice. Most travelers overlook Spain in winter, which is exactly why those who do visit often fall in love with this season. Yes, it’s cold in the north and the interior (Madrid can be surprisingly frigid), but the Mediterranean coast and the lower altitude parts of the South enjoy mild weather. Best of all? Lack of crowds transforms even the most touristed sites into intimate experiences.
Winter is when Spanish rustic cooking charges in and demands your attention. Tis the season for cocido madrileño, Galician caldo gallego, Asturian fabada (white bean stew with blood sausage), and all manner of slow-cooked dishes that taste amazing on cold evenings.
The Christmas season in Spain doesn’t begin in earnest until a few days before Christmas BUT it extends through Epiphany (January 6), and the celebrations are totally spectacular. Cities throughout the country mount light displays, traditional Christmas markets sell turrones (nougat) and polvorones (almond cookies), and on January 5, the Three Kings parades (Cabalgata de Reyes) wind through streets with elaborate floats and candy-throwing. Spain’s Christmas tradition feels less commercial and more tied to actual religious and family celebration.
Tip: Winter also has some special festivals on tap. I like to think they are designed to keep everyone from seasonal depression…so be sure to investigate wherever you are headed so you don’t miss a celebration! Pack warm clothes if visiting interior cities or northern regions. Many smaller hotels and restaurants in tourist areas close for part of the season, so research ahead. Conversely, this is the most budget-friendly time to visit, with excellent flight and hotel deals. For skiing, the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada offer surprisingly good conditions from December through March.
Winter IN SPAIN at a Glance
Winter reveals a different Spain that rewards travelers willing to venture beyond conventional tourist seasons:
Regional climate variation: Interior cities like Madrid can be cold (0-10°C/32-50°F) with occasional snow, northern Atlantic regions are rainy and cool, but the Mediterranean coast from Valencia to Málaga stays mild and sunny (12-18°C/54-64°F) with many pleasant beach-walking days.
Comfort food season: Winter showcases Spain's hearty traditional cuisine including cocido madrileño (chickpea stew), fabada asturiana (white bean and sausage stew), caldo gallego (Galician soup), and countless slow-cooked regional dishes best enjoyed in neighborhood bars with wood-burning stoves.
Extended Christmas celebrations: Spain's Christmas season runs through Three Kings Day (January 6) with spectacular light displays, traditional markets selling seasonal sweets, and the magical Cabalgata de Reyes parades on January 5 featuring elaborate floats and candy-throwing.
Museum paradise: Major attractions like the Prado, Reina Sofía, Guggenheim Bilbao, and Gaudí's Barcelona sites are blissfully uncrowded, allowing genuine contemplation of masterworks without jostling for position or waiting in long lines.
Budget traveler's dream: Winter offers the lowest prices on flights and hotels (often 40-60% below summer rates), many attractions have reduced admission, and the lack of crowds means last-minute bookings are often possible even at sought-after restaurants.
Three Essential Tips for Timing Your Spanish Journey
Align your visit with regional harvest or festival cycles rather than just weather. The best experiences in Spain are often tied to what's in season or what's being celebrated locally. White asparagus season in Navarra (April-May), cherry season in Valle del Jerte (March-April), mushroom season in Basque Country (October-November), and the wine harvests across multiple regions all offer special windows into Spanish food culture that transcend simple sightseeing. Check local tourism boards for specific dates, as these shift slightly each year based on weather patterns.
Consider splitting your trip between regions with different climates. Spain is remarkably diverse climatically. In November, you could spend a week in rainy, atmospheric San Sebastián eating world-class cuisine, then head south to Seville for sunny 20°C days. In January, the Costa del Sol offers beach walks and outdoor dining while Madrid requires a heavy coat. This geographic flexibility means Spain rewards visits during months that might seem off-season. The Spain Tourism Board provides detailed regional climate information.
Build your schedule around Spanish meal times and daily rhythms. This isn't just about adapting to local customs; it's about having vastly better experiences. Restaurants serve lunch from roughly 2-4 PM and dinner from 9 PM onward. Arrive at 6 PM expecting dinner and you'll find locked doors or, worse, tourist traps catering to foreign schedules. Similarly, shops and some attractions close for afternoon breaks. Rather than fighting this rhythm, embrace it. Have a large lunch, rest during the afternoon heat or chill, then join locals for evening paseos and late dinners. Your experience of Spain will be infinitely richer when you're eating and moving through the day alongside Spaniards rather than on a displaced schedule.
The Takeaway: Spain Rewards Intentional Timing
The question of when to visit Spain has no single answer because the country offers such dramatically different experiences depending on season, region, and your specific interests. Summer delivers the Spain of postcards and imagination, but often at the cost of crowds, heat, and inflated prices. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer what I consider the optimal balance: excellent weather, manageable tourism, rich cultural programming, and the chance to experience Spain's legendary food culture at its seasonal peaks.
Winter, chronically underrated, reveals a more introspective Spain of museums, hearty cuisine, and genuine local life unobscured by tourist masses. And ultimately, the "best" time is whenever you can go, provided you've researched what to expect, packed appropriately, and approached the country with openness to its rhythms rather than expecting it to conform to yours.
I've been visiting and living in Spain for more than twenty years now, and I'm still discovering new corners, new seasons, new flavors. The country is endlessly generous to those who take the time to understand its cycles, whether that means arriving in a Rioja village during harvest, walking Galicia's coast in September, or finding yourself at a neighborhood bar in Madrid on a cold January evening, surrounded by locals and the smell of cocido simmering in the kitchen. Time it right, and Spain doesn't just meet expectations. It exceeds them in ways you'll remember for the rest of your life.
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Be sure to check out my seasonal recommendations in the form of lovely little missives over here.
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